Getting odors out of clothing

[justjunque]

Hi all.
I know this has been discussed, probably at great length. But, I'm having trouble finding the answers that I need by doing a search. So, I figured I'd just ask.

I find myself in a position where I occasionally do the laundry for an elderly family member. Despite wearing protective garments, accidents do happen.
I sometimes find that the smell is still in the clothes, even after washing and drying.
They have a top-load Whirlpool with dual action agitator. Thinking it would help, I open the lid and give everything about a half hour soak, then let it do its thing.
The material is most likely synthetic. Mostly pajamas.

I've seen white vinegar or ammonia mentioned for getting odors out of clothes.
Would you recommend either of those in this case? If so; which one?
And, with vinegar or ammonia added, would you advise a soak period? Am I soaking them long enough?
Any other additives that might work better?
Thank you all in advance for any advice.

Barry

 

[jamiel]

I found some fairly inexpensive quaternary disinfectant cleaner at Smart and Final (gallon was about $8). It was lemon scented, but was disinfectant when diluted. Imagine you could find similar at Gordon Food Services or a janitorial supply.

Had some clothing get gnawed/peed upon by mice over Christmas, used it in the diluted disinfectant concentration in the washing machine (roughly a quart for a half load, but do the math yourself) and let it soak using the Lysol Laundry Sanitizer protocol (wash and spin, then add the stuff and let soak for at least 15 minutes) then spin.
I chose to do a re-rinse and it seemed to get everything out nicely.

 

[coldspot66]

Try 20 Mule Team borax. Usually found on the bottom shelf in the detergent aisle.
It's great for other cleaning uses as well.

 

[steved]

I hear you

My mom is in a nursing home and the family (mostly me) does the laundry. I add Borax to every wash load and that really sweetens it. The only other laundry aids I use are ammonia for oils, Dawn for greasy food stains and Shout Stain Stick for the things that come out of the dryer still stained. It’s a challenge for sure!

 

[sudsmaster]

What occured to me is to try ordinary baking soda. I've never tried it, but I *think* it would help reduce aromas without causing fabric damage. I tend not to use borax because boron - the key ingredient in borax - can be toxic.

 

<blockquote>
<h1 class="post-title">8 Ways to Use Baking Soda in the Laundry Room</h1>
 

<h2>Want a cheap ingredient for whitening and brightening laundry, and eliminating odors and stains? Turn to good old reliable baking soda.</h2>

There’s a secret weapon for your laundry room that you may have never thought of. Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, has a multitude of uses for baking, personal health and hygiene and household chores.

When used as part of your laundry routine, it can help whiten and brighten clothes, eliminate stubborn odors and stamp out stains. Plus, at about $1.25 per pound, it’s one of the cheapest ingredients you can find to up your laundry game. Read on for eight ways to use baking soda in your laundry room.

<h2>As an Odor Fighter</h2>
Baking soda is alkaline, so it neutralizes acids — and many of the nastiest odors, such as sweat, urine and vomit, are acidic. If you’re wondering how to get cat pee out of clothes, try baking soda. Leslie Reichert, who runs the Green Cleaning Coach website, suggests adding a few tablespoons of baking soda to your regular laundry soap to help remove odors. For really tough odors, soak the smelly item overnight in a baking soda and water solution.

</blockquote>
 

 

8 Ways to Use Baking Soda in the Laundry Room

Want a cheap ingredient for whitening and brightening laundry, and eliminating odors and stains? Turn to good old reliable baking soda.

www.familyhandyman.com

 

[justjunque]

Jamie,
Now that you mention it, I wonder if Lysol Sanitizer would help. I don't know if it does anything for odor.

And, I do have some Borax. I can try that next time.

 

[justjunque]

Thanks, Rich.
We also have baking soda. So, I already have at least a couple of things to try.
I appreciate it!

 

[petek]

What detergent are you using that isn't removing the smell?

 

[justjunque]

I'm doing the laundry at their house, using their products, and I don't do it all the time, so I'm not 100% sure I remember. But, I believe it was Gain liquid.

 

[petek]

I would try a better top rated detergent first.

 

[justjunque]

I'm thinking that the next time I go over, especially if I know I'll be doing laundry, I'll probably bring supplies from home with me; as well as some of the additives that have been suggested here.

 

[Marky_Mark]

Of the 40 liquid detergents tested by Consumer Reports, Gain liquid was 3rd from bottom.

 

You may find that the only thing you need to do differently is switch from Gain to a far better detergent.  

 

[stan]

Borax

Try a 30 min pre soak with just borax.
Then drain and spin. Then start normal wash cycle with?? Say regular Tide powder. (Add a little borax or oxi clean)

 

[littlegreeny]

Use a premium detergent with enzymes. I had a similar issue with my mom and Tide Sport worked fantastically.

 

[verizonbear]

My cat was unpleased with an abrupt change in kitty litter and peed on a pile of clothes on the floor I was separating to laudry the next day. My vet suggested to use Clorox Urine Remover , and let it sit for 30 minutes before laundering. I sprayed every thing with it and really saturated it , put it the washer and set it for a delayed start for 30 minutes with 1/4 cup each of powdered Tide and Biz with an extra rinse. Completely took out the smell and stain

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www.lowes.com

 

[sudsomatic]

 

 

Going to preface this with[COLOR=#808000; font-size: 14pt] it's stupidly expensive for no more than you get[/COLOR] but....

 

If all of the great tips on here don't help the situation, you might try Pooph! for Laundry

 

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www.amazon.com

 

It's an odor eliminator, if the spiel is correct it removes odors on a molecular level, and was first sold as bio friendly pet odor spray. It's also said that the formula is used in landfills and waste treatment plants to eliminate odor. it's promoted as an all natural non chemical earth friendly option as well.

 

I was recently in a situation where , as a friendly gesture, some of my clothes were washed by my cousins wife while I was visiting. I had ended up drenched in mud from four wheeling. When she washed them she washed them with a load of my cousins clothes.

 

When I got them back they smelled like a pack of non filtered Camel's. The two were heavy smokers, hard heavy smokers. They reined it in while I was there and went outside or the garage a lot but their usual routine was to smoke in the house. Most everything in there smelled like that, but was surprised that fresh laundry would too.

 

Anyway when I got home I decided to throw everything in the washer, even my travel bag and the clothes she'd washed. When they came out those few items she had washed still smelled.

 

I washed them a few more times,  did different things with them from online advice, but the smell stayed, I saw the Pooph! commercial one night late and looked it up and realized they had a laundry option.

 

It worked! But holy cow the price. I've thought if I ever need it again I might try half the suggested dose with less water, you doing full loads though, that might not be an option

<h1> </h1>

 

[askolover]

Odoban sometimes helps.

 

[justjunque]

Interesting about the Pooph. I've seen the commercials, but you're the first person I've heard from who's actually tried it.
I'm definitely going to try some of these other suggestions first, since I already have some of the products on hand. It's just a matter of bringing a goody box over there with me the next time.

Barry

 

[lakewebsterkid]

Odor

First, I highly recommend cleaning the washer with 1 cup citric acid and letting it soak for a while in hot. That will never hurt.
Second, I find the best thing for odor removal, especially smoke, is hot washes. So with loads that are colorfast that is what I would do.
However, I have had great success with OxiClean Home and Laundry Sanitizer. It does a decent job helping to get rid of odor. As many have mentioned, a strong enzyme detergent like Tide or Persil is certainly necessary.